CHÂTEAU DE CAMBIAIRE
Visible from the outside through its gardens, this 14th-century château was the stronghold of the Raymond family before being remodeled in neo-Gothic style. Dominated by a medieval keep, the building is now home to guest rooms. The estate also includes a chapel open to the public and a replica of the Lourdes grotto (1875), currently being restored to preserve the memory of this singular place.
Château de Cambiaire can be admired from the outside from its gardens, but the interior is not open to visitors, as it houses guest rooms. Dating from the late Middle Ages, this building illustrates the emergence of residential dwellings in the Cévennes from the 14th century onwards, favoring comfort over military prestige.
The history of the site is documented as early as 1366, under the seigniory of the Raymond family. Over the centuries, the château changed hands several times, including a fire during the 2nd World War. Its architecture, comprising 3 main buildings and a medieval square keep, was remodeled in the 19th century in a neo-Gothic style.
The estate also boasts a historical curiosity: a replica of the Lourdes grotto and a chapel were erected in 1875 by the Marquise de Cambiaire after her son was cured. Damaged, the shrine is now being restored by its owners to bring the site back to life. The chapel is open to the public.
